er: Lots more football in your future man!!Marks recently said Cracraft is the best inside receiv | Forum

Tim Leiwekes message has been made loud and clear; the Toronto Raptors plan to
move forward, without looking back. James Conner Youth Jersey . The latest
recipient of that message; Alvin Williams. After spending the majority of his
nine-year playing career with the Raptors and serving in a number of roles with
the organization -- including assistant coach, director of player development
and most recently as a scout -- since 2009, the beloved former point guard was
let go early Monday morning. "It does [hurt]," Williams told TSN 1050 Radio. "It
does to be honest. Its disappointing." According to Williams, who guested on TSN
Drive with Dave Naylor Monday evening, he and incoming general manager Masai
Ujiri played telephone tag Sunday before Leiweke -- the new president and CEO of
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment -- broke the news to him over the phone a
day later. "He just basically said that he was going to give Masai the
opportunity to start with a clean slate and move forward with the organization,"
Williams said of that conversation. "Unfortunately my contract wasnt renewed."
Hoping to dig the franchise out of its deepest hole, Torontos expensive new
brain trust was assembled to make some tough decisions. This decision will not
be a popular one. For better or for worse Leiweke and Ujiri have promised change
and no Raptor -- on the roster, among the coaching staff or in the front office
-- epitomizes the past quite like Williams. As a player, Williams won over fans
in a hockey city with his hard-nosed approach and willingness to play through
aches and pains. A second-round pick out of Villanova, he turned out to be the
primary return in a deal that sent Damon Stoudamire -- Torontos first ever
franchise player -- to Portland over 15 years ago. In 2001 he was a crucial
member of the Raptors team that won its first and only playoff series,
ultimately being eliminated on the cusp of a Conference Finals birth.
Understandably, Williams also has ties to the current, underachieving era of
Raptors basketball, having been around the team in multiple roles after knee
injuries forced him into early retirement. The 38-year-old has a strong
connection with a number of players on the roster, a roster that many expect to
be tinkered with and maybe even gutted as early as this offseason. Williams has
overseen the development of DeMar DeRozan, he maintains a close relationship
with Rudy Gay and his friendship with Kyle Lowry -- a fellow Philadelphia native
-- dates back to Lowrys senior year in high school. Hes sparred with them in
practice and mentored them off the court. "Emotionally Im tied to things," he
admitted. "A lot of times thats what you need to do, you need to start from
scratch to go forward. Thats totally understood." At times that has seemed like
the destined course for Leiweke and Ujiri, both of whom have stressed change.
With the franchise mired in a five-year playoff drought, what else are they
going to preach? "I inherit, I didnt create," said Leiweke, as he faced the
assembled media in Toronto for the first time earlier this month. "And so from
my standpoint this is today and we move forward from here." Ed Stefanski was
immediately let go following the hiring of Ujiri and Jim Kelly, a longtime scout
and member of the organization since its inception, was also sent packing. But
what of Bryan Colangelo, who remains with the team, albeit with slightly altered
business cards? What of Dwane Casey, who is expected to stay on as the teams
head coach? The question, as Raptors fans will see it; why was Williams the
sacrificial lamb? As Williams himself notes, this is a business. Ujiri will be
given free reign to build his own team, from the roster all the way up to his
staff, just as Leiweke promised. To some this move will come as a surprise. It
may signify the end of an era, a heartless gesture that costs the embattled
organization one of its greatest ambassadors. To others this will indicate a
changing of the guard, the first in a series of bold moves. Moves that may one
day propel the franchise back to where Williams helped lead it over a decade
ago. T. J. Watt Steelers Jersey . The Cincinnati
Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup.
T. J. Watt Youth Jersey . That gave fans
outside Joe Louis Arena another chance to ask for autographs from the
19-year-old whose stardom in the NHL has arrived earlier than most expected. http:///...ton-Steelers-Jersey/
. -- In one brief spurt, Brazil turned a close game into a rout and proved again
it will be a strong World Cup favourite. PULLMAN, Wash. -- Washington State star
receiver River Cracraft tore his ACL in the 20th-ranked Cougars last game and is
done for the season, according to published reports.The senior caught three
touchdown passes in the 56-21 win over California before he was injured early in
the third quarter.Washington State does not discuss injuries but The Seattle
Times and The Spokesman-Review reported Monday that Cracraft tore the ACL in his
left knee and that his college career is over. The newspapers quoted unnamed
sources.We dont comment on any injuries, coach Mike Leach said at his Monday
press conference. Hes a great player and still part of our team.Numerous
Washington State fans have tweeted support to Cracraft, and he tweeted thanks to
fans for the love and support you have given me and my family throughout my time
here.Cracraft has 218 career receptions, second in teamm history behind Gabe
Marks. T. J. Watt Jersey. This season he has caught
53 passes for 701 yards and five touchdowns.Cracraft walked off the field and to
the locker room under his own power Saturday. On his way to the locker room, he
turned around before entering the tunnel and took a look at the crowd.It was a
pleasure and honor to play alongside my brother, River Cracraft, Marks tweeted
Sunday afternoon. Your competitive drive was the steel that sharpened my
steel.Former NFL star Drew Bledsoe, a Washington State graduate, on Sunday
tweeted congratulations on Cracrafts career: Lots more football in your future
man!!Marks recently said Cracraft is the best inside receiver Mike Leach has
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